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NEWS RELEASE

March 28, 2024

New OU Health Geriatric Medicine Clinic Opening at Epworth Villa Retirement Community

OKLAHOMA CITY — OU Health is bringing advanced care for seniors through a new senior health clinic at Epworth Villa Retirement Community in northwest Oklahoma City, providing specialized care for an aging population.

Opened on March 22, 2024, the OU Health Geriatrics at Epworth Villa clinic, 14901 N. Pennsylvania Ave., provides geriatrics primary and specialty care to the 425 full-time residents who call Epworth Villa home, as well as to adults over age 65 who live in the surrounding area.

“We are delighted to offer greater access to both our residents and the senior community in Oklahoma,” said Epworth Villa Retirement Community President and CEO Ron Kelly. “This will make a huge difference in the lives of our seniors.”

Oklahoma has approximately 875,877 adults aged 60 and older and approximately 140,000 adults aged 80 or older, according to The Oklahoma Department Human Services. Providing access to quality healthcare specific to their needs is a top priority for OU Health.

“OU Health is committed to enhancing the well-being of older adults with accessible, compassionate and comprehensive healthcare that focuses on an individual’s needs, no matter their stage of life,” said geriatrician Lee A. Jennings, M.D., MSHS, Chief of Geriatric Medicine at OU Health. “Not only will Epworth Villa residents benefit from receiving comprehensive care at home, but this new partnership also provides an opportunity for residents of northwest Oklahoma City to receive geriatrics primary and specialty care closer to home.”

This clinic provides senior primary care services, diagnostic visits for patients with cognitive concerns, and specialized geriatrics care for:

  • Alzheimer’s disease or other dementias, especially with behavioral symptoms or safety concerns
  • Arthritis-related pain and mobility concerns
  • Balance and fall prevention
  • Brain health
  • Caregiver strain
  • Complex care with multiple conditions
  • Depression/mood disorders impacting daily activities
  • Difficulty with daily activities due to problems with cognition or mobility
  • Driving concerns
  • Healthy aging and prevention
  • Medication interactions and side effects
  • Memory concerns or abnormal cognitive screen needing further evaluation
  • Need for goals of care conversation and advance care planning
  • Polypharmacy or high-risk medication use

If you or a loved one needs comprehensive and compassionate senior health care call (405) 486-1372 to schedule for OU Health – Geriatrics at Epworth Villa. The team of experts at this clinic will include Seki Balogun, M.D., Geriatrician, and Rachel Hand, PA-C, an advanced practice provider specialized in senior health.

Learn more about the full suite of Senior Primary Care and Geriatric Medicine services at OU Health by visiting our website.

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OU HEALTH

OU Health is the state’s only comprehensive academic health system of hospitals, clinics and centers of excellence. The flagship academic healthcare system is the clinical partner of the University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, one of the most comprehensive academic and research campuses in the country. With 10,000 employees and more than 1,300 physicians and advanced practice providers, OU Health is home to Oklahoma’s largest doctor network with a complete range of specialty care. OU Health serves Oklahoma and the region with the state’s only dedicated children’s hospital, the only National Cancer Institute-Designated OU Health Stephenson Cancer Center and Oklahoma’s flagship hospital, which serves as the state’s only Level 1 trauma center. Oklahoma Children’s Hospital OU Health was named one of the Top 50 Children’s Hospital for Pediatric Cardiology & Heart Surgery and Pediatric Gastroenterology & GI Surgery by U.S. News & World Report in its most recent rankings. OU Health’s mission is to lead healthcare in patient care, education and research. To learn more, visit ouhealth.com.

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Local Girl Scout Gold Award Project: A Paw-sitive Impact on Seniors

Congratulations to Jordan Lent for completing her Gold Award project! 🏆 Jordan, a PC North High School senior, has been a dedicated Girl Scout for 10 years in Troop 177.

For her Gold Award project, Jordan focused on promoting healthy aging through pet companionship. She created an awareness flyer to educate people about the benefits of walking with a dog, especially for seniors. To support her initiative, she also built two benches at Epworth Villa so that dog walkers could take a break while enjoying their walks.

Jordan’s dedication and hard work are truly inspiring!

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Connecting Hearts, Building Communities – May Mission Month 2024

Epworth Villa is more than just a place to reside; it’s a vibrant hub of connection, compassion, and leadership.

The Power of Connection

Have you ever considered the profound impact a simple connection can make? It’s like a ripple in a pond, expanding outward to touch countless lives which is our purpose of Enhancing Lives, so People Thrive. At Epworth, we believe that connection is the cornerstone of a fulfilling life. It’s the thread that weaves our individual stories into a beautiful tapestry of shared experiences.

Our residents are a testament to the power of connection. They have built lasting friendships, supported one another through life’s challenges, and found new passions in their golden years. Their stories inspire us daily.

Leadership Through Service

Leadership isn’t just about titles or positions; it’s about making a difference. Our residents exemplify this in countless ways. During our recent May Mission Month, their leadership shone brightly.

In May, our dedicated staff raised an incredible $6,963 for the Regional Food Bank, surpassing our goal of $4,400. This generous contribution will provide meals for those in need in our community. The residents also raised $6,180 to eliminate lunchroom debt at Scissortail Elementary, ensuring that every child has access to nutritious meals. Can you imagine the relief and joy this brings?

Also collectively, they collected a staggering 944 pounds of canned food for the Regional Food Bank.

Our own Rev. Laura Glover full-time Chaplain, who will all lovingly refer to as Pastor Laura, said that “Hunger does not get to reside and the corner of 150th and Penn!” We thank her for her leadership on these missions.

Beyond these remarkable achievements, our residents have formed meaningful connections with the next generation. They’ve shared their wisdom and experiences through reading programs at Scissortail Elementary, and even taught the students the joy of drumming.

They’ve also welcomed AmeriCorps students into their community, providing mentorship and friendship and fostering intergenerational connections that enrich everyone involved and their partnership with Project Transformation has created opportunities for growth and service for both our residents and the young people involved.

Conclusion

The power of connection is undeniable. It’s the foundation upon which strong communities are built. These accomplishments are a testament to the power of connection and the spirit of leadership that thrives within our community at Epworth Villa.

Each act of kindness, each shared moment, and each volunteer hour strengthens the bonds between us and creates a ripple effect of positive change. Epworth Villa is a community of leaders of EVERY age who are willing to lend a helping hand and inspire others and make the world a better place.